Climate change puts Southeast Asia at risk of 'sinister pit'

Many experts say that climate change makes countries in the Southeast Asian region face more risks stemming from sinkholes.

Future climate projections will only lead to hotter and wetter conditions, says Stephen Chua, associate professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. These extreme conditions put enormous pressure on underlying sediments. For example, when heavy rains wet the ground, it can lead to a reduction in the integrity of the ground beneath concrete. The structural weakening leads to a greater risk of holes appearing in the ground, forming large sinkholes .

A sinkhole appeared in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in August, causing a female tourist to go missing. (Photo: EPA).

Conversely, drought can lower groundwater levels, leading to soil degradation. A 2018 study in the US found that for every 0.1 degree Celsius increase in global temperatures, the number of sinkholes increases by 1-3%.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Nawaz, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore, said natural sinkholes form when acidic water seeps into the ground, dissolving soluble rocks such as limestone, creating a cavity underground. This poses a particular risk in limestone-rich areas in countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Mr Chua warned of caution in such places, especially if there is a period of heavy rain or drought.

Geologist Goh Thian Lai of the National University of Malaysia advises to look out for long cracks, leaning pillars, signs of shifting ground, unevenness or other deformations. He also advises against using a mobile phone while walking. However, a phone would be useful for making an emergency call if a person falls into a sinkhole.

In the event of falling into a sinkhole, victims should grab onto anything they can on either side, to try to reduce the force of the fall or create a chance to escape the hole, said Zhang Tingjun at consultancy ZeroRisk International.

If this is not possible, it is important to get into a head-down position, protecting your head as you fall. Then take a deep breath and stay calm, trying to focus on a light source .

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